BOC Aviation announced that it has signed a Launch Customer Agreement with Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) for 20 LEAP-1C-powered C919 aircraft. BOC Aviation is the 11th customer for this aircraft and today's order brings to total to 235 C919 aircraft.
BOC Aviation is the leading Asia-based aircraft leasing company with a portfolio of 180 modern aircraft operated by airlines worldwide. In addition, the company has 69 aircraft on firm order and another one on committed purchase and leaseback. BOC Aviation has one of the youngest fleets in the industry with an average aircraft age of less than four years.
BOC Aviation is 100% owned by Bank of China, one of the largest banks in the world.
The LEAP-1C is the exclusive powerplant for the new 150-passenger COMAC C919. COMAC has received commitments for 165 aircraft, including recently announced orders for 45 aircraft from ICBC Leasing and 20 aircraft from Sichuan Airlines.
LEAP development is progressing on schedule and the engine is on track for entry into service in 2016 on the A320neo and C919 and in 2017 on the Boeing 737 MAX.
The foundation of the LEAP engine is heavily rooted in advanced aerodynamics, environmental, and materials technology development programs. It will provide up to 15 percent better fuel consumption and an equivalent reduction in CO2 emissions compared to today's best CFM engine, along with a 50 percent reduction in oxides of nitrogen emissions, and up to a 15-decibel reduction in noise. All this technology brings with it CFM's legendary reliability and low maintenance costs.
LEAP engines are a product of CFM International (CFM), a 50/50 joint company between Snecma (Safran group) and GE and the world's leading supplier of commercial aircraft engines.